Sustainability Law Respected in Snapper Fishing Competition

AUSTRALIA - Fishers competing in the recent Whyalla Snapper fishing competition have been praised for their conduct by South Australian Fisheries Officers.

Senior Fisheries Officer Mick Cresshull said there were no detections or reports of undersize or over limit offences.

In addition to the Whyalla area, Fisheries Officers conducted patrols to areas including Point Lowly and Fitzgerald Bay, checking catches and monitoring the conduct of fishers.

Mr Cresshull said that overall, the cooperation and behaviour of fishers had been “excellent.”

“It is increasingly encouraging to see recreational fishers take a more responsible approach to fishing," he said.

“Despite the lure of the substantial prizes on offer fishers appear to respect the need to fish in a sustainable manner and limited their fishing activity to areas in which they were permitted to fish.”

Mr Cresshull said Fisheries Officers were again pleased to report no instances of undersize or limits being exceeded.

However, a number of vessels did receive cautions for exceeding the channel speed limit and two vessels were directed not to launch due to the absence of valid flares, he said.

“Whilst the result was pleasing from a Fisheries perspective, fishers need to ensure that they place as much importance on ensuring they have all their required safety equipment and that they operate their vessels within the rules that apply,” he commented.

Fisheries Officers will be conducting further inspections of the Cowell area over the coming weeks.